Local Stuff

With more than 20 inches of rain falling in the Columbia County area in the last couple weeks, one can’t help but think of flooding possibilities.  Do you know that your Homeowner policy does not cover flood?  Do you know that you don’t have to be in a flood zone to purchase flood insurance?  Do you know that 25% of all flood claims happen outside of flood zones?  I say this, “If it rains long enough and hard enough, water will flow up hill.”  Just think about it.

Consider these grilling safety tips and avoid being the subject of a “Here’s your sign”  Jeff Foxworthy joke.

1. Grilling is for outside.  Grilling inside your house is not a good thing.

2. Situate your grill on stable ground.  A hot grill tipping over is a real bummer.

3. Use long handled utensils – unless you want the hair on your arms removed quickly and cheaply.

4. Use baking soda to control grease flair ups.  I didn’t know this.  Maybe this will work better than my water spray bottle.

 

The Atlantic Basin hurricane season starts today.  Are you ready?  What does it mean to be ready here in Columbia County?  It may mean that you have 1) trimmed tree limbs and dead trees away from your home, 2) you have inventoried your disaster kit 3) you have familiarized yourself with evacuation routes and 4) you have identified storm shelters near your home.  My friend, Shane Morgan, directs Columbia County Emergency Management.  Check out their website for the latest local info.  Don’t wait.  Get ready.

 

 

Forty-two years ago, with a baby on the way,  Ed and Priscilla Wheeler moved back to Lake City to open this insurance agency.  Priscilla is still going strong as she celebrates her 73rd birthday today.  Happy birthday Priscilla.  We celebrated with a pizza party and a “pea pick’n cake.”  Mmmm good.

On the East side of Lake City, there is a 2,600 acre site being developed for industrial growth.  Allison McGrath reported today at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon that Plum Creek Timber Company owns this site and hopes to attract a variety of businesses to Columbia County, who will in turn bring jobs to our community.  Getting the United States Forest Service to approve a 6 acre railroad spur is key to moving this project forward.  Let’s hope that all of the regulators can get together on this project and good paying jobs are around the corner.